In the Eastern Curtain of Fredriksten Fortress lies the Fredriksten Museum, where you can explore Halden’s military history and learn more about life at the fortress.
The reception and museum shop are located on the ground floor, where you can get information about current events at the museum. Beyond that, the exhibitions cover the period from the 1640s up to 1905. Here’s an overview of some of the exhibitions you can experience:
EXHIBITIONS:
The Great Fall
The year is 1700. Halden is a growing town. Fredriksten Fortress proudly towers over a city where 1,300 residents work in mills, sawmills, and farms. In Sweden, a teenager sits on the throne: Karl XII. The empire he inherits is vast and powerful. Foreign princes seize the opportunity to make the young, inexperienced king pay for past wrongs – the Great Northern War has begun!
Karl is undaunted. As Sweden’s king and foremost soldier, he campaigns across Europe to defeat his enemies. He fights for 18 years, but victories turn to defeats. In a final attempt, he brings the war to Halden.
From the fortress (near the memorial on the parade ground), you can also follow Karl XII’s path down toward the town center and Halden Market. Along the way, historical figures from Karl XII’s era recount their experiences with the king.
Almost Half of Norway – Bohuslän and 1658
The Treaty of Roskilde on February 26, 1658, resulted in one of the largest upheavals in Nordic history. Denmark had to cede large territories, including Bohuslän. For the first time, Halden became a border town, with significant consequences. The population was split by the new border, and the town became highly vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Power Carved in Stone – The Construction of Fredriksten Fortress
Construction of what would become Fredriksten began in the autumn of 1661. Building a fortress is not done overnight. The walls alone took over 10 years to complete, and numerous expansions followed. Many people were involved in the construction – farmers, townspeople, and soldiers alike. Life in the small town of Halden was “a real bustle” for decades.
Fear and Honor – Fredrikshald and Fredriksten 1814
In August 1814, Fredriksten Fortress was under siege for nearly two weeks. The fortress was not captured but opened to the Swedes the day after the ceasefire agreement was signed. When Swedish troops left Fredriksten in April 1815, they took trophies such as banners, flags, and weapons, including the fortress flag. Was this theft or lawful war booty? The exhibition displays some of the beautiful banners now returned to Fredriksten.
Union at the Border – When Norway and Sweden Were United
At the top of the museum is the former water tower of the fortress. Today, it tells the story of the critical years leading up to 1905, when Fredriksten played a historic role in the dissolution of the union. The view from the water tower is spectacular, and you can also see one of the large Schneider cannons, tower guns mounted at Fredriksten before 1905.
